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9/13/2008 - Tala writes:
Wow. I just noticed something: most of the people who complain about this product (and several others I've checked out) can't spell and are pretty deficient when it comes to sentence structure, hmm. I wonder what that means?
I bought my Total Gym 5 years ago at a used sporting goods store for $100. Yes, it was heavy. It's TOTAL GYM. Hello? I set it up myself with no problems. When I'm finished using it, I fold it up and it sits in the corner of my dining room. It's not awkward or too heavy to move - and I have arthritis in my upper body. I use it for Pilates (it has a remarkable resemblance to the Pilates machines but it's smaller and MUCH less expensive) and I also make up my own exercises to isolate various muscle groups.
I think part of the problem with those who are disappointed is that they don't really know what it is they're getting in the first place. This isn't one of those silly electric belts that claim to give you six-pack abs while you sit in a chair and watch tv. It's an honest -to-goodness WORKOUT machine. It's better than free weights because you're also stretching (which is essential, actually, for the best results) and there's not as much danger of doing it wrong. The exercises that are recommended on the DVD and in the booklet are good, but with a little research you can find dozens of other ways to use the Total Gym and get amazing results. With sense and patience, you can do just about anything you want on this machine.
I bought the Total Gym, by the way, after seeing what it did for my lazy, fat brother - who lost 50 pounds and had muscles for the first time in his life after using it for only three and a half months. If HE can do that, anyone can, assuming they want to and are willing to put in the time and effort. I would never give up my Total Gym. I've added a pulley system and extra cables to make a little contraption that will whittle down the belly and waist in half the time, and I'm really not all that tech savvy.
I would recommend the Total Gym (and have) to anyone, but please don't pay that ridiculous price someone quoted above - $1600? You can find them used for much much less. Personally, I think it's worth $1600, but I'm a cheapskate and I never pay full price for anything.
Get a Total Gym! Lose weight! Get strong! Enjoy life - this is not a rehearsal!
8/25/2008 - Valerie writes:
I purchased the total gym about 2 years ago and i love it. I like that it is sturdy because it will last a long time. When i first purchased the total gym i had a problem with the seat. When i called customer service, they walked me through trying to fix the problem over the phone. When it did not work, they shipped me another seat, which i received in a few days, and i tossed the old seat out. I was a member of the gym for about 10 years, but got tired of having to wait in line for a machine. I tried taebo and i loved it but i got tennis elbow from the punching. So i tried the total gym. The work outs are easy and not hard on my joints. I love that you can work out every part of your body. People comment on how defined my arms are and how tight my buns are. The hospitals use the same type of equipment for physical therapy, so i know that this type of exercise is good for me.
7/15/2008 - Ben writes:
Greetings ~
I will start by saying that those who have complained about the (TG) Total Gym need to re-think on those very complainants made.
Heavy - Bulky?
Granted - it is Heavy when once received but, that only means that it's sturdy, and will last without it falling apart. as SHOULD ANY exercise equipment. I mean, have YOU seen any equipment that is used in a gym NOT heavy or bulky? get real!
Storage
I live in a small apt and it is set up constantly within just a space that I made for it, and it does not bother nor does it get in the way.
I have also lived in a single rented room, where I had to fold and put away the TG - and in doing so, it was a breeze, and worry free.
Research prior to purchase
I did the research prior to purchase, followed up by looking at the product, looking at its competitors, doing the side by side comparisons, and the TG was (imo) considered - the best - out there.
The workouts and results
I have bought my TG about a year ago, it is working fine, and has given me the results that I am looking for.
Once I started, I never stopped using the TG on a regular basis.
The changing of the various exercises and their transitions to each is smooth and flawless.
Everything is clearly marked and the DVD instructs on the basics of common sense usage.
Which I believe in all honesty that many people do not bother with. because they are in a hurry to get the FAST results.
Reality check people. it takes time to get the results needed and seek.
YOU have to be dedicated in its use and use common sense when using it.
It's the same principal when using the gym machines at the Gym.
YOU just can not go into a gym and instantly use the machine there. because in doing so will result in the wasting of time and I am sure that looks one will get from using a machine like a noob will only enhance the embarrassment that will surely follow.
The kicker
The kicker for this particular review and defence to this product is, me the user.
I have read on the complaints section about some who are injured or had surgery and had some difficulty in the use, storage, of the TG.
Well, everything to me. including the set-up, storage, folding and unfolding, moving, the TG is easy.
Why? - What makes me different from the rest of the users?
Because I am in a wheelchair, so imagine just how hard it actually is for someone in MY position to do those things which are completely easier for those are NOT in a wheelchair?
No joke on this part, I REALLY am in a wheelchair, and have been for 10 years.
I have good upper body strength to begin with, but the TG only added to that strength.
I have tried the various methods, open club gyms, [], other products, and also free weights.
Free weights are great, however, I also wanted to add to the WO's (Workouts) - so I purcahsed the TG, and I NEVER looked back with no regrets whatsoever!
I tried to work out all parts of my body when I tried using the other machines, it was nearly impossible, because of the limited use of the lower quadrant, and in using the TG regularly it makes it easier to use than the rest of those machines out there.
Mainly - because of the set up and that way that I can easily position, place myself on the machine and use it. which is mostly in a seated position or some form of it.
I also use my imagination on adding to the current exercises.
Just because I am limited doesn't mean that I CAN NOT do it.
I use my head and come up with added ones that will enhance my WOs.
In closing ~
So, decide what you will concerning this review. Believe it or not, YOUR choice.
Just know that I support the TG and I never had any difficulties with it.
TG delivers, and it ONLY delivers if one has the dedication to use it properly.
7/13/2008 - Avguste writes:
Greetings
I saw the commecial with Chuck Norris on TV and after realizing that I needed to lose weight, I decided to make the jump and purchase it.
I first got the 60 days trial and since they were doing a promotion, I initially got it for $1000(payments of $100/month),however due to money issues, I called after 30 days to return it. The customer rep was very kind and understood my situation. The rep then offered me to keep the TotalGym for a total price of $500(payments of $50/month) which I gladly accepted.
Once I received it, I admit I was a bit taken aback by the small assembly required and kinda struggled to figure how to move up and down the levels. However as soon as I watched the intro video I understood how it works.
I have been the total gym and I have been doing the 8 minutes workout.
I don't have any complaints and I recommend the TotalGym to everyone
7/12/2008 - Michael writes:
Wa! This exercise equipment is really heavy! wa! Bunch of pathetic D.A.C.B! I have owned the older version of the Total Gym for about 7 years now. Yes it is heavy because it is designed safe. Yes it is hard to store. It is ment to be that way! If you can store it, you will ignore it! Mine weighs in @ 85lbs. I have modified the plastic cups on the tower base with an axel and two Rollerblade(c)wheels to make it easy to slide out of the way. No, I will not tell how I did it. You need mechanical skills and be self-responsible! The machine works better when you practice. Practice makes perfect! Since it uses 70% of your own body weight @ the highest setting, and 10% @ the lowest, it is a great in-between body toning stretch workout. You need to get a good stretch in the muscles so as not to become muscle bound. Yes, it can happen. Watch a Mr. Olympia try to comb his hair or shave his own face. I am currently using it to re-certify my CPT thru [] and it is getting my shape back. If you want Gorilla muscles this is not for you. If you want to look like a real person with real world stregnth... Buy it. Keeping in mind that with proper form, you minimize injury chances. You can create a form that YOUR body is designed to be. Next week, July 17th 2008, I am going to buy upgrades to make it even better. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!
7/8/2008 - Chris writes:
I just bought my total gym a couple of months ago and I love it. It is rather bulky and heavy so I have just one spot in my living room where it stays and I haven't had any issues since. Be careful to maintain the cables...upon talking with a customer service rep the store model cables are actually made of nylon and the ones that you order off the tv are made from steel. I have never felt so good in my life! I have become stronger and more healthy than I have ever been. My body is beginning to look amazing because I use this product as well as doing aerobic activity as well. If you are looking to tone yourself, this is the way to go.
7/5/2008 - Thomas writes:
Anyone who says this piece is bad can be right and wrong. It depends on your lifestyle and if your truly interested in fitness. You decide. I use free weights as well as the total gym and I have seen great results. The one comment I read about some women 4'10 and not in shape is using the highest setting? Come on. Get real. Out of the box we all try the levels to see where we fit in. The 10 minute promise on tv is not for the out of shape. If your fat and need to lose weight you'll need more than 10 minutes for a good work out. Develop a plan and work multiple areas quickly, that will more than make it difficult enough.
I have the oldest model and with weight training, running and eating right this piece of equipment helps to stretch the muscles which is what is needed to get bigger and stronger even from the lowest setting to the highest.
The total gym can be as challenging as you want it to be. It's not the fault of the machine, more like operator error or lack of planning and wanting like most to much too fast.
Results happen over time. Give yourself credit for working out and getting into fitness!
Look how long it took to get where you are. Remember it won't happen over night. It didn't happen over night to get to where you are now.
I've been there. Stay positive and make a plan and keep striving for the best each day.
5/19/2008 - Snezana writes:
I bought Total Gym about 5 years ago, and I've been practicing ever since, as my younger brother, too (I'm 20 now). It is a little bit difficult to be placed, but hey - it is one very bad excuse if you don't want to practice, and once placed - you don't need to move it. Anyway, with it - you really do have whole gym in it, and it gives fast - and more important - very good results once you begin practicing AND continue doing it, but - you have to do it correctly and stay focused on your body, breathing and movements during every single exercise. Total Gym is the best fitness product I've ever tried, and still can't believe what you can do with it - choose the level you want, for those areas you want to shape up, slower workout or little bit faster - for every single practice - it's up to you and your wiliness to change your body, and your strength to keep it that way. I even myself modified some exercises and created new ones - so much you can do with Total Gym. I would recommend it to anyone, it's really working - for every problem for everyone. My brother is 18 now, and he has been using Total Gym ever since we bought it - so it can NOT do any harm - as long as you follow instructions you get with it, and you also have to listen to your body. Now, he is tall and still growing up (Total Gym can't stop the growth IF you do those exercises CORRECTLY and it is very important) and girls go crazy for his muscles and butt, and abs ;). For me - Total Gym is irreplaceable workout machine... But, I do have one advice: if you decide to buy Total Gym, go to your fitness center, as I did, and buy it there. And don't listen to those rude salesmen, listen to yourself - what you really need. Once you get it - you'll enjoy it every time you start practice. It can make you brake your own limits, and you'll feel so good knowing you CAN do more.
2/18/2008 - Brad writes:
Hello: I have been reading through the many products noted on this site and the trend with products seems to be problems not so much with the products themselves, although there are those to, but problems with service from the companies involved. I have found that buying items I am interested in from stores and not the infomercial companies directly has worked famously for me. Concerning the Total Gym: First, I bought it from [] as a very nice price! Less than $200 several years ago. Second, I love it. Is it perfect? No, but for what you get it's just a terrific product. I agree with those who complain that it is difficult to take down. It is. It's a sturdily built piece of equipment and has some heft. I have a place in my garage that I keep it set up in. It shines in several places, but one that I love is that it allows a 55 year old man who is somewhat out of shape to do things like Pull Ups without injury to his back! And, it allows one to work up slowly to greater and greater weight. And, again with little fear of being injured! I can see where it would not be for everyone, but for any number of body weight exercises it is really a wonderful machine.
12/30/2007 - Anony writes:
I've owned my total gym for nearly 10 years and I love it. If you use it - it works. And I agree, it's not something to "easily store away" but, mine is out every day and I use it every day.
12/23/2007 - Andrew writes:
I've had a Total Gym for about ten years. It is a fantasitically designed piece of equipment. It is quiet and smooth, even after ten years. You can get a truly great workout and the exercises help stretch at the same time. Yes, some of the complaints about it being heavy and needing to remain setup are true. I highly recommend it.
10/18/2007 - Anonymous writes:
I have bought many informercial products and have rarely been burned. Three rules: 1) Never buy it when it first comes out 2) Do your research 3) Try to find it at a retail store. (The biggest gripe on all of these products seems to be service and shipping charges). I bought an older version of the Total Gym at a retail store for $200. (Hint - when they don't advertise the price on TV, beware.) When I called the TV number, I think they were about $1600. I have owned a lot of exercise equipment. The Total Gym performs as promised. You get a good workout in a short period of time. If you are a body builder, nothing is going to replace weights. Get serious. I keep mine set up because I have the room. I have a friend, however, who has no problem taking it down and putting it under a bed.
7/17/2007 - Frank writes:
I bought the Total Gym 1700 two or three years ago. It does not only work the upper body; you can work the hamstrings, buttocks and legs - IF you want to. I alternate days with the Total Gym and a stationary bike and get an excellent all-round workout. Bulky? Difficult to store? A little bulky, yes. But if you actually time yourself taking it down or setting it up, it's around five minutes a pop, and it gets easier the more often you do it. My only beef with it is that attaching and detaching the pulley is an acquired skill. It seems that hook could have been designed a little better.
7/6/2007 - Dave writes:
I originally put this device together for my 70 year old mother that is in pretty good shape for her age. I kept calling it a gimmick as I was assembling it together. Most TV exercise equipment advertised is. After completing the assembly, I began demonstrating the Total Gym to my mom to show her how to do the exercises. To my surprise, this equipment gave me a wonderful workout. I was sore the next day even though I didn\'t use it that long. Today it is all mine thanks to my mother never using it. My mom\'s house actually looks like a gym due to all the unused exercise equipment that she keeps buying but never uses. The Total Gym isn\'t noisy like most machines out there that usually squeak. It is very quiet and the exercise routines that you are able to do on this are excellent. As for the complaints about storage and being heavy. I will admit that it is heavy and will cause some people problems in moving it around and storing it somewhere. I\'m 38 and it doesn\'t cause me much problems but with those with certain injuries or older age then it could pose a problem. It would do good if you have a certain area in your house that you can leave it set up at all times. If you are in decent shape where you can lift a bag of 50 lbs potting soil then this will pose absolutely no problem to you as it will be easier than that bag of potting soil. I\'m a steel worker and am certainly not weak by anyone\'s standards. This equipment will give you a workout nobody who you are. Of course if you are training for some Power Lifting competition or if you are seeking to be the next Mr. Olympia then this will not suffice for you. If however you are seeking to get a good workout and even a little bulk to your muscles then this device is for you.
6/24/2007 - Giana writes:
Okay, it is bulking, but let me tell you I love this machine. I was surprised to hear that people had problems with customer service. I called up because an attachment I ordered was not posted as being ordered and they sent me the attachment free of charge!!! I do have the older model, but would not trade it in for any of those other products advertised now.
5/31/2007 - Richard writes:
I purchased the Total Gym from an individual (it was barely used), at a really good price. Properly used, it is probably one of the better fitness machines on the market. My physical therapist told me the principles behind how it worked the body were sound. However, it is not easy to store, and takes up a lot of room if it is left set up. We sold it at a yard sale and joined a hospital wellness center. We liked the Total Gym, but the space issue killed it for us. Bottom line, if you are trying to get into shape, a personal consultant is a good idea. If you have the room, the Total Gym is a great product.
5/29/2007 - Linn writes:
I have been using the Total Gym for 8 years and absolutely Love It! I will agree that it's not easy putting it away, but that is the only claim the infomercial makes that isn't completely true. I used to go to a gym, but now can work out in 20-30 minutes and get a great work out. It's great for upper body and lower body toning. I've bought numerous other things from other companies and haven't got as complete a work out w/any of them as I do w/the Total Gym. Thanks Chuck!
5/24/2007 - Adam writes:
I have the XL 1400 total gym. The machine was a breeze to put together instructions where easy to understand. No tools required. The machine is great for the upper body workout. Comes with a nice excerise guide and Dvd. Not that great foe lower body excerises. There are many attachments that you can buy for lower and upper body. Downside is the attachments are quite pricey. Overall I give this gym 7 out of 10 rating. Beginers can add muscle mass. Novices can tone and shizzle. Best thing I like about it is that it take about 10 seconds to change excersises
5/23/2007 - Mike writes:
In my opinion, the Total Gym is one of the best pieces of workout equipment you can own for toning and building muscle. My wife and I purchased one about a year ago on the recommendation of my father-in-law. I have a full Weider home gym system that I now have placed in storage. My only regret was not getting the newest model where additional weights can be added. I guess that is one draw back to the older model, if you progress to the highest level then you cannot go higher. Not a problem for me since I use it mainly to keep what I have already built. On another point....yes the Total Gym is difficult to move and store but where else are you going to get a gym that you can store under your bed that lets you do as many exercises? I mean really, the whole point is to try and get a workout. If you are too lazy to open and close the machine, you are probably the type that will quit after the first use and then write a review that the product was crappy.
5/11/2007 - Kim writes:
I bought mine second hand from an aquaintence. It is over 10 years old. It is fabulous. Yes it heavy and I am happy about that. I do not want to work out on a cheap piece of equipment that won't stand the test of time. If I could afford it I would order the top of the line model. Those complaining about only working the arms haven't read everything about it. I work out every part o my body. Yes it take sa minute to sometimes switch things but common sense tells you that you can't have one piece of equipment do everything without this. It is a great workout and as with any workout if you work at it then you will have results. I would only say that it may not be suitable for someone who is already in top shape.
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